Search API

Search API is a set of functions that allows developers to easily implement new search functionality for WordPress. A set of plugins to enhance the se

Author:Justin Shreve (profile at wordpress.org)
WordPress version required:2.8
WordPress version tested:2.8.1
Plugin version:1.0.8
Added to WordPress repository:03-07-2009
Last updated:25-08-2009
Warning! This plugin has not been updated in over 2 years. It may no longer be maintained or supported and may have compatibility issues when used with more recent versions of WordPress.
Rating, %:100
Rated by:1
Plugin URI:http://wordpress.org/
Total downloads:19 784
Active installs:200+
plugin download
Click to start download

Note: Developer documentation, bug reporting information, and other miscellaneous notes are included under "Other Notes".

Currently the search engine included in WordPress is very limited as to what types or categories of data it can locate and how a blog user can employ the system to locate them (search mode). For example, you cannot search blog posts with a simple strategy such as “find A string in category C”. You can’t perform a search such as “search all categories, but not category B”. It also doesn’t support advanced boolean search query formats (grouping, OR, NOT, AND).

For these reasons, the WordPress search system needed an overhaul and enhancement. Members of a blog need to be able to find what they need quickly and efficiently. The search capabilities of WordPress should allow for a greater flexibility and power in search configuration and strategy so that blog users retrieve optimal relevant search results.

This plugin creates a basis for a new search engine to replace the simple input box search currently employed. The plugin creates an API to support advanced search capabilities such as boolean search, multiple content searches (posts, tags, pages, authors and any available metadata) and flags (finding posts with A string in category C) through additional plugins.

This archive contains several different default search components. Developers can also create their own or edit the existing ones and distribute under the GPL.

The default search components are:

  • a MySQL/Database plugin as the default database plugin. The plugin includes multiple content searching and some flag search options.
  • A Google search module which uses Google as a backend for searching.

Once a search plugin is uploaded, the user can manage it from the admin control panel; the API includes a way to easily add a settings section for the ability to configure any settings that might be associated with the search plugin.

An “advanced search” page feature (depending on which search plugin is selected) is also provided which provides all the available search options such as search by category, posts by a certain author, etc.